The commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood on Saturday at Thaba Tshwane New Military Cemetery afforded those in military circles to pay their respects to fallen South African soldiers during World War I.
Those in attendance marked the sombre day with the laying of wreaths at a memorial service hosted by the Pretoria Memorial Services Council.
Chaplain Ben van der Walt, who delivered the benediction, expressed thanks to God for the brave souls that fought in the battle and for selflessly giving their lives.
“May their legacy encourage us to live with courage and faith,” he said.
He recounted that on July 15, 1916 only two years into World War I the South African infantry brigades under the command of Mayor-General Sir Henry Timson Lukin were ordered to clear Delville Wood.
That was in the village of Longueval in France and the gesture was done for the friends of the British brigades to secure this area, he said.
He explained that while capturing the Delville Wood only took one day, it was considerably more difficult to uphold it.
Van der Walt said: “This is the mistake we make as soldiers, we think when the battle is finished and we have taken over in a day, it is finished. But Major-General Lukin had received his orders: ‘Take and hold the wood at all costs’ despite fear, counter-attacks and constant artillery bombardments from German divisions, the South African brigade refused to surrender.”
He said the brigade was relieved on July 28 after six days and five nights of fierce fighting.
“Only 750 soldiers remained of the 3 433 soldiers that went into battle. The rest had either been killed or wounded,” he said.
Also present were the South African native labour contingent composed of black unarmed soldiers and non-military personnel who were also involved in the battle.
“During this battle the German losses increased to 160 000. Men and the number of French casualties was already then more than 200 000. The battle of Delville Wood was extremely costly for both sides,” Van der Walt said.
City of Tshwane Deputy Mayor Nasiphi Moya, graced the occasion, saying the memorial is hosted annually by the South African Legion with support from the SA National Defence Force and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
“The Battle of Delville Wood memorial is held to honour the lives of thousands of South African soldiers who died during World War 1 in support of the British army’s offensive in the Battle of the Somme and attempts to take over Longueval and Delville Wood, in France, captured by Germans,” she said.
Moya said the memorial situated at the Thaba Tshwane New Military Cemetery resembled a similar commemorative museum in Longueval.
The South African Brigade numbered 3 153 men; 121 officers; and 3 032 other ranks.
At least 1 080 men were dead and 1 735 were wounded by the morning of July 19, 1916 while only 338 officers and men came out of the battle unharmed.
Delville Wood also suffered from the heavy artillery shelling and was reduced to a few stumps and broken branches, half buried in mud.
Delville Wood had to be replanted twice in attempts to get it back to its original condition. There are only 51 South African graves at Delville Wood.
Pretoria News